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Ortho Tri-Cyclen Dosage

Generic name: NORGESTIMATE 0.18mg, ETHINYL ESTRADIOL 0.035mg; NORGESTIMATE 0.215mg, ETHINYL ESTRADIOL 0.035mg; NORGESTIMATE 0.25mg, ETHINYL ESTRADIOL 0.035mg;
Dosage form: tablets
Drug class: Contraceptives

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 27, 2023.

Recommended Dosage and Administration

Take one tablet by mouth at the same time each day with or without food. Table 1 provides the recommended dosage and administration instructions for ORTHO-CYCLEN and ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN.

Table 1: Instructions for Administration of ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN
Complete instructions to facilitate patient counseling on proper tablet usage are located in the FDA-Approved Patient Labeling.

Starting COCs in women not currently using hormonal contraception (Day 1 Start or Sunday Start)


Important:
Consider the possibility of ovulation and conception prior to initiation of this product.


Tablet Color:
  • ORTHO-CYCLEN active tablets are blue (Day 1 to Day 21).
  • ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN active tablets are white (Day 1 to Day 7), light blue (Day 8 to Day 14) and blue (Day 15 to Day 21).
  • ORTHO-CYCLEN and ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN both have dark green inactive tablets (Day 22 to Day 28).
 Day 1 Start:
  • Take first active tablet without regard to meals on the first day of menses.
  • Take subsequent active tablets once daily at the same time each day for a total of 21 days.
  • Take one dark greeninactive tablet daily for 7 days and at the same time of day that active tablets were taken.
  • Begin each subsequent pack on the same day of the week as the first cycle pack (i.e., on the day after taking the last inactive tablet)
Sunday Start:
  • Take first active tablet without regard to meals on the first Sunday after the onset of menses. Due to the potential risk of becoming pregnant, use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) for the first seven days of the patient's first cycle pack of ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN.
  • Take subsequent active tablets once daily at the same time each day for a total of 21 days.
  • Take one dark greeninactive tablet daily for the following 7 days and at the same time of day that active tablets were taken.
  • Begin each subsequent pack on the same day of the week as the first cycle pack (i.e., on the Sunday after taking the last inactive tablet) and additional non-hormonal contraceptive is not needed.
Switching to ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN from another oral contraceptive Start on the same day that a new pack of the previous oral contraceptive would have started.
Switching from another contraceptive method to ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Start ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN:
  • Transdermal patch
  • On the day when next application would have been scheduled
  • Vaginal ring
  • On the day when next insertion would have been scheduled
  • Injection
  • On the day when next injection would have been scheduled
  • Intrauterine contraceptive
  • On the day of removal
  • If the IUD is not removed on first day of the patient's menstrual cycle, additional non-hormonal contraceptive (such as condoms and spermicide) is needed for the first seven days of the first cycle pack.
  • Implant
  • On the day of removal

Starting ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN after Abortion or Miscarriage

First-trimester

  • After a first-trimester abortion or miscarriage, ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN may be started immediately. An additional method of contraception is not needed if ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN is started immediately.
  • If ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN is not started within 5 days after termination of the pregnancy, the patient should use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) for the first seven days of her first cycle pack of ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN.

Second-trimester

  • Do not start until 4 weeks after a second-trimester abortion or miscarriage, due to the increased risk of thromboembolic disease. Start ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN, following the instructions in Table 1 for Day 1 or Sunday start, as desired. If using Sunday start, use additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) for the first seven days of the patient's first cycle pack of ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN [see Contraindications (4)and Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Starting ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN after Childbirth

  • Do not start until 4 weeks after delivery, due to the increased risk of thromboembolic disease. Start contraceptive therapy with ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN following the instructions in Table 1 for women not currently using hormonal contraception.
  • ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN are not recommended for use in lactating women [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)] .
  • If the woman has not yet had a period postpartum, consider the possibility of ovulation and conception occurring prior to use of ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN [see Contraindications (4), Warnings and Precautions (5.1), and Use in Specific Populations (8.1, and 8.2)] .

Recommendations Regarding Missed Doses

Contraceptive failure may occur when active tablets are missed. Table 2 describes instructions for ORTHO-CYCLEN/ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN dosing and use of additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms) when active tablets are missed.

Table 2: Instructions for Missed ORTHO-CYCLEN or ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Tablets
  • If one active tablet is missed in Weeks 1, 2,or 3
 Take the tablet as soon as possible. Continue taking one tablet a day until the pack is finished.
  • If two active tablets are missed in Week 1 or Week 2
 Take the two missed tablets as soon as possible and the next two active tablets the next day. Continue taking one tablet a day until the pack is finished. Additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) should be used as back-up if the patient has sex within 7 days after missing tablets.
  • If two active tablets are missed in the third week or three or more active tablets are missed in a row in Weeks 1, 2, or 3
 Day 1 start: Throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day.
Sunday start: Continue taking one tablet a day until Sunday, then throw out the rest of the pack and start a new pack that same day. Additional non-hormonal contraception (such as condoms and spermicide) should be used as back-up if the patient has sex within 7 days after missing tablets.

Dosage Recommendations if Vomiting or Diarrhea Occurs

In case of severe vomiting or diarrhea, absorption may not be complete and additional contraceptive measures should be taken. If vomiting or diarrhea occurs within 3 to 4 hours after taking an active tablet, handle this as a missed tablet.

ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN Use for Acne

The timing of initiation of dosing with ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN for acne should follow the guidelines for use of ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN as an oral contraceptive. Consult the DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section (2.1) for instructions.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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